Top News Headlines In Singapore, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam & Thailand : Jan 9, 2025

Regional News Update

Singapore

1. 6 in 10 Singapore Firms Worry Skills Gaps Will Hinder Transformation: Report — The Straits Times
   More major employers have signalled that fragmenting global economic links are especially likely to shake up their business in Singapore than the rest of the world.

Indonesia

1. Govt Requires More to Lift iPhone Ban — The Jakarta Post
   The government has welcomed Apple Inc.’s US$1 billion commitment to build a manufacturing facility in Batam Island, but the ban on local sales of the iPhone 16 remains in place as it still fails to meet the country’s local content rules.

2. Patrick Kluivert Aims for ‘Great Things’ in First Message as Indonesian Football Coach — Jakarta Globe
   Former Dutch football star Patrick Kluivert expressed his honor at being appointed head coach of the Indonesian national football team and shared his ambitions to achieve significant milestones with the Garuda team.

Cambodia

1. Foreign Ministry Prepares for Langkawi Retreat — Agence Kampuchea Presse
   Cambodia is preparing to attend the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat in Malaysia next week. Malaysia, as the 10-member grouping’s ASEAN chair this year, is hosting the retreat from 18 to 19 January in Langkawi.

2. Japan Donates Landmine Detectors to Peace Museum — Agence Kampuchea Presse
   Japan will donate the Advanced Landmine Imaging System developed in Cambodia. It will be handed over to the nearly completed Techo Peace Museum in Siem Reap province. Japanese and Cambodian experts have been working on the technology since 2005.

Laos

1. Laos-Vietnam Cooperation to Develop Human Capital — Vientiane Times
   Laos and Vietnam aim to strengthen collaboration in education, training and human resources development. The Lao government said the bilateral cooperation has assisted in developing the labour sector and contributed to peace and stability.

2. Sinkhole Near Potash Mine Declared Safe — Vientiane Times
   Authorities have filled a sinkhole near a potash mine in Pakpeng village, which is now declared safe. A probe showed the sinkhole was not caused by underground mining operations and not related to the presence of subsurface potash ore, but was natural erosion.

Myanmar

1. Locally Produced RON 68 Enters Market — The Global New Light of Myanmar
   Refuelling stations have started selling locally produced RON 68 petrol which is much cheaper compared to imported fuel. The fuel can be used in motorcycles, tricycles, generators and boats. The locally produced Octane 68 will also enter the market this month.

2. Tourism to Drive National Economy — The Global New Light of Myanmar
   The government wants foreign investors to invest in the tourism sector, and enhance flight expansion and market promotions as Myanmar plans to position the sector as a key economic pillar. The aim is to generate tourist revenue to develop infrastructure and welcome more visitors.

Vietnam

1. Japanese Aid Needed to Fund Infrastructure — Vietnam News
   Vietnam wants Japan to promote financial support and new-generation official development assistance to build infrastructure projects. Major projects – the North-South high-speed railway, nuclear power and urban rail systems in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City – are in the pipeline.

2. Proactive Steps Taken to Prevent HMPV Flu — VietnamPlus
   Health officials are closely monitoring human metapneumovirus (HMPV) as Vietnam transitions from winter to spring, a period that is favourable for the development of viruses. They are collaborating with the World Health Organization and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to address this concern.

Thailand

1. Police Launch Manhunt for Thai Ex-Marine in Killing of Cambodian Ex-MP — The Nation
   An arrest warrant has been issued for a former Thai marine, Ekkaluck Paenoi, 41, for allegedly killing former Cambodian opposition MP Lim Kimya, 73, who was fatally shot on Tuesday (January 7), while visiting Thailand with his French wife.

2. Fears Over Decrease in Chinese New Year Visitors — Bangkok Post
   Chinese tourist numbers might fall by 10-20% during the upcoming Lunar New Year due to lower safety confidence among travellers, following a Chinese actor who recently fell victim to a human trafficking gang using Thailand as a gateway, according to the Association of Thai Travel Agents (Atta).

Conclusion

The regional news update highlights various developments in Singapore, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Thailand. From concerns over skills gaps in Singapore to the ban on iPhone sales in Indonesia, and from Japan’s donation of landmine detectors to Cambodia to Laos’ cooperation with Vietnam on human capital development, the update covers a range of topics. Meanwhile, Myanmar is focusing on tourism as a key economic driver, and Vietnam is seeking Japanese aid to fund infrastructure projects.

FAQs

Q: What is the main concern for Singaporean firms?
A: Skills gaps are a major concern for Singaporean firms, which are worried that they will hinder their transformation.

Q: Why is the iPhone ban still in place in Indonesia?
A: The ban on local sales of the iPhone 16 remains in place because it still fails to meet Indonesia’s local content rules.

Q: What is Japan donating to Cambodia?
A: Japan is donating the Advanced Landmine Imaging System developed in Cambodia to the Techo Peace Museum in Siem Reap province.

Q: What is Myanmar’s plan to drive its national economy?
A: Myanmar plans to position tourism as a key economic pillar and generate tourist revenue to develop infrastructure and welcome more visitors.